What is Molting?
Molting is when a bird looses the current feather to make way for a new feather. Unless a feather was damaged, birds lose feathers evenly. If they lose one on the left side, they will lose one about the same size on the other. They lose feathers like this so that they don't leave themselves venerable to the cold or breezes. The feather is encased to protect the developing feather. These are called pin feathers, some may still be developing. There may be a dark area in these pin feathers; this is where the blood is still circulating. The blood helps develop the feather and these should be left alone. The tip of the feather is a much lighter color and that part is finished and ready to come out of the encasing.
What does this mean for your bird?
This process can be very painful for a bird, so make sure that you are aware of this while handling your bird. A bird may become very bitey, moody, and territorial. Don't be offended if your bird will only bite at your hand instead of stepping up when trying to get it out of the cage. The bird may also start to have runny dropping when it is molting and may be an early warning sign. Your bird may also want or need help from you during this time. The pin feathers on it's head may need some attention since they cannot reach that area. You will also notice your bird itching a lot during this time but that is absolutely normal.
What can you do?
During a molt, the bird usually can take care of the pin feathers mostly on it's own but there are somethings that you do to help. First of all, if you can pet your bird then you definitely should during this time. Petting the bird when it has pin feathers helps by making the bird feel better and the movement can help them break open easier. Another thing that will help your bird is making sure it takes baths at least two to three times a week, if not more than that. However if your bird does not like to get its own you should take it in with you while getting a shower, the steam will be just as beneficial for the bird.
Sometimes the bird cannot take care of the pin feathers, in this case, you may want to help it along.When you pet the bird up by its neck and head, you should be able to feel the pin feathers. When you find one, first make sure that it is not still a blood feather; if its not then you can try to break it open. Now that may sound bad if you have never heard or seen this. Depending on the size of bird and feather, will determine what way to break the feather open. Many will say that you should roll the feather to break it open. As someone who has broke open many pin feathers for small birds, I would say don't do that on a small and possibly a medium sized bird. The feathers are usually so small, there is no way that you could roll the feather. So if you are in the situation of trying to break open a small feather, try pinching the top part a couple times then brush your fingers over that area to loosen it up. After that you may move down further on the feather as long as you don't see any dark area. No matter which way you deal with the pin feathers, never pull on the outer casing or the feather itself. If any part of it is pulled, it may go up to far and could hurt the bird or damaged the feather.
Sometimes the bird cannot take care of the pin feathers, in this case, you may want to help it along.When you pet the bird up by its neck and head, you should be able to feel the pin feathers. When you find one, first make sure that it is not still a blood feather; if its not then you can try to break it open. Now that may sound bad if you have never heard or seen this. Depending on the size of bird and feather, will determine what way to break the feather open. Many will say that you should roll the feather to break it open. As someone who has broke open many pin feathers for small birds, I would say don't do that on a small and possibly a medium sized bird. The feathers are usually so small, there is no way that you could roll the feather. So if you are in the situation of trying to break open a small feather, try pinching the top part a couple times then brush your fingers over that area to loosen it up. After that you may move down further on the feather as long as you don't see any dark area. No matter which way you deal with the pin feathers, never pull on the outer casing or the feather itself. If any part of it is pulled, it may go up to far and could hurt the bird or damaged the feather.